Rumsfeld critics 'will lose army careers'

By Toby Harnden

12:00AM BST 21 Jul 2003

American soldiers in Iraq who criticised the conduct of the war and called for the resignation of Donald Rumsfeld, the Defence Secretary, in television interviews, say they are facing retaliation from the Pentagon.

"It was the end of the world," an officer in Fallujah told the San Francisco Chronicle. "It went all the way up to President Bush and back down again on top of us. At least six of us will lose our careers."

The comments, broadcast by ABC television, sent a shockwave through the Bush administration. "If Donald Rumsfeld was here, I'd ask him for his resignation," said Specialist Clinton Deitz of the 2nd Brigade of the 3rd Infantry Division.

Sgt Felipe Vega, from the same unit said he felt "kicked in the gut, slapped in the face" because his return from Iraq had been delayed while Pte Eric Rattler expressed disillusionment. "I used to want to help these people [Iraqis]. And now, I don't care about them any more."

Another 2nd brigade sergeant was more angry with the US top brass than with Saddam and his henchmen. "I've got my own Most Wanted' list," he said.